Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions today, May said she recognised an "appetite" among her own MPs for the paper, citing questions from supporters of the UK's Single Market membership and Anna Soubry, in particular.

May did not specify when the white paper would be published, but ministers are expected to publish legislation giving the government the right to begin Brexit talks within days.

It marks a government concession to pressure from the backbenches. Downing Street had previously insisted that May's landmark Lancaster House address last week would represent the "Brexit plan" that the Prime Minister had previously offered.

However, a white paper facilitates further debate, and would be expected to include additional, technical details. Grieve told City A.M. yesterday that it would serve as "a reference point for the government's stated intentions".